"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1966: On Peyton Place, Steven Cord (James Douglas) arrived at his mother's (Ruth Warrick) home with a trunk of Ann's (Susan Oliver) childhood belongings and confronted her and Mr. Peyton about their treatment of Ann and the lies regarding her true parentage. They protested that they did what they thought was best, but he argued that they could have helped her after she found out "who she was," but instead abandoned her and contributed to her death.

1971: On The Doctors, Carolee (Carolee Campbell) told Billy Allison (Robert Hennessey) that his father died because the heart machine that kept him alive was turned off.

1977: On Ryan's Hope, Mary Ryan Fenelli (Kate Mulgrew) was thrown she caught Delia Reid Ryan (Ilene Kristen) talking with Ryan as if she were her own baby.

1978: Eileen Barnett debuted on Days of our Lives as Stephanie Woodruff. Stephanie was later revealed to be a post-plastic surgery Brooke Hamilton (previously played by Adrienne LaRussa). Brooke had not died in a car accident as previously thought.

1979: On The Edge of Night, the Madisons discussed "Mansion of the Damned" at dinner.

1981:Another World debuted its block letter opening, replacing the interlocking rings that had been used since 1966.

1984: Kristina Wagner (then Kristina Malandro) made her first appearance as Felicia Cummings on General Hospital. Her character's name wasn't revealed in this episode but she immediately displayed chemistry with co-star Jack Wagner, who played Frisco Jones. Frisco & Felicia would go on to become one of the most memorable pairings in daytime history, and appeared on our 2012 countdown of the 50 Greatest Soap Couples of all-time.

Thanks to Salimah for sending in the item above.

1987: On Another World, Chad Rollo (Richard Burgi) told his sister, Dawn (Barbara Bush), that their mother had died.

1989: On The Young and the Restless, Nina Webster (Tricia Cast) tried to convince Esther Valentine (Kate Linder) to testify on her behalf.

1994: Sharon Case debuted as Sharon Collins on The Young and the Restless.

Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

2001: Actor Billie Lou Watt died at age 77. Her soap roles included Maggie Barker Weaver on From These Roots, Ellie Harper Bergman in Search for Tomorrow and Florence Hatcher on The Edge of Night.

2004: On The Bold and the Beautiful, Eric (John McCook) was shocked to learn from Stephanie (Susan Flannery) that Felicia had been living with cancer.

2007: NBC aired its final episode of daytime soap opera Passions. Before Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald (Lindsay Hartley) could introduce Little Ethan as Ethan Winthrop's (Eric Martsolf) son, Gwen Winthrop (Liza Huber) walked into Ethan's hospital room with a baby boy. The show moved to DirecTV's The 101 Network 10 days later (September 17) and ran until the series finale on August 7, 2008.

2010: On As the World Turns, Dr. Reid Oliver (Eric Sheffer Stevens) died in the hospital after his car was struck by a train.